Statewide DNR News

Annual waterfowl festival returns to Pointe Mouillee Sept. 19-20

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival committee will host the 68th annual Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival Sept. 19-20 at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Brownstown Township, Michigan.
Activities begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and run through 5 p.m.Sunday. Admission to the festival is free, and the entire family is welcome. Donations for parking are greatly appreciated, but not required.
Located at the mouth of the Huron River at Lake Erie, Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is the largest freshwater marsh restoration project in North America and one of Michigan’s premier waterfowl hunting and viewing destinations. All proceeds from the annual festival benefit wetland restoration and wildlife habitat improvement at the area.
The weekend’s festivities include the Michigan Duck Hunters’ Tournament, sponsored by Cabela’s, with hunters competing in shooting and boat-racing events; the Midwest Decoy Contest, with decoy and bird carvers from Canada and the U.S.; and the Wildlife Art Show, featuring artists and suppliers from all corners of the U.S. and Canada.
There will be a live auction at 1:30 p.m.Sunday for items including a hunt on Fighting Island and an eagle birding tour at DTE Monroe.
The Lake Erie Championship Layout Shoot, sponsored by Gander Mountain, will take place Saturday, along with hip-boot races for men, women and youth.Hunters can buy, sell or swap goods with outdoor enthusiasts from around the Midwest at the “Greatest Outdoor Trading Post,” which features more than 100 exhibitor booths selling and trading equipment and supplies. Interested vendors can contact Bob Kemper at 734-652-7243. Festival T-shirts and hats – as well as raffle tickets for a Lazy Boy chair, a firearm and a boat motor – will be available for purchase
Fish-decoy carving, duck-decoy carving, fly-tying and small-boat building are among the daily demonstrations. Attendees can bring their retrievers to participate in the Huron River dock dog jumping contest, learn tips on dog handling from trainers or find a new hunting buddy in "Puppy Alley." Kids’ games and activities include a BB gun shoot, an archery shoot, face painting, clowns, Great Lakes slingshot contest and waterfowl-related games.
The Midwest Goose Calling Championship, sponsored by Lynch Mob Calls and Hardcore, will be held Saturday at 1 p.m., with various prizes to be awarded. The Midwest Duck Calling Championships, sponsored by GK Calls and Knutson’s Recreational Sales Inc., will be held Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., with four separate contests. All four winners will be eligible for the World Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas.
Visit DNR Wildlife Division staff members at the Headquarters Check Station to ask questions about hunting and trapping at local southeast Michigan state game areas and to pick up maps and information. Animal skulls and furs also will be on display. Hunting, trapping and fishing licenses will be available for purchase, along with Pure Michigan Hunt applications and Vermet Unit access permits. Federal Duck Stamps also will be available.
“This festival is known for its 68 years of rich history," said DNR wildlife biologist supervisor Joe Robison. "This is a great opportunity for adults and kids to experience the great outdoors and the rich waterfowl hunting traditions of western Lake Erie and the lower Detroit River."
For more information, visit www.ptemouilleewaterfowlfestival.org or contact Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival Executive Director Bob Whitwam at 734-587-3221.
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/Editors, please note: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested caption follows.
The 68th annual Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival Sept. 19-20 offers family fun focused on waterfowl hunting traditions./

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go towww.michigan.gov/dnr.